Category: mental health

Healing Blackness

by The Unconventional Life, posted in mental health, mindfulness, Spirituality, Uncategorized

I started my job as a reiki master at Lucid Living in December 2020. This is the only time I’ve executed the law of attraction flawlessly. I was so excited to join a black owned business focused on holistic healing.

Getting ready for company marketing shoot.

I’ve seen a diverse mix of clients, mostly women. And then one evening there was the young black man having his first reiki experience with me. His friend had made an emergency appointment for him. I asked my normal pre-session questions. What brings you in? Where do you want energy directed? What is your intention? He answered as best he could, but I had to read between the lines.

We as a black community are not taught to seek services or healing for stress, anxiety or other mental health issues. We are taught to pray. You are questioned and often berated if you seek the help of a therapist. I’m a reiki master, so just amplify that criticism to an infinite amount. Yet there is so much daily stress and trauma in our people.

I have made healing from trauma a priority in my life due to what I see at work and just wanting to end generational patterns in my own life. Being a black woman working in public housing communities full of poverty, crime and yes mental health issues for so long can feel like wearing a winter coat in a Florida summer. It’s heavy, very heavy.

A few more black men trickled into my appointments and it was such a joy to provide them with reiki. One astral traveled to his house and was quite surprised by my explanation of what happened during his session lol. I hope the Black community finds tools such as reiki, meditation, sound baths, etc. I hope the community will be less close minded about spiritual practices that have significant health benefits for stress, anxiety and depression.

I recently filed with Virgina’s SCC office and am officially The Unconventional Life. I offer in person and remote reiki appointments in addition to making reiki candles. I will soon offer shamanic healing sessions and hopefully in 2022 shamanic breathwork sessions. The energy I felt during my first breathwork session was 🤯! On of the most amazing hours yet! I am also looking forward to certifying reiki practioners and masters.. Very grateful for everyone that has been vulnerable enough to trust me as their reiki master. I love holding space for you! Follow my IG page, TheUCLife, and DM for appointments.

How Then Shall I Live

by The Unconventional Life, posted in Inspiration, mental health, mindfulness, Spirituality, Uncategorized

In the weekend’s closing ceremony we were told to reflect on the question how then shall I live. Our first guided meditation was around one door closing and another opening. Many of us lay on the floor crying. These complete strangers had become my monthly support group. A place where I was learning spiritual practices in a very diverse environment. I felt like I was flourishing into myself during the entire program.

The first meditation caught my attention. I sat on the porch of a craftsmen style house and looked over my shoulder at the closed door. I cried at the realization of losing my monthly group while at the same time feeling excited about the next phase of my journey.  I then saw myself standing on earth barefoot in front of a new door to open. The door I opened revealed an entire universe. As I realized I had no limits or boundaries, I thought it’s going to be ok.

I began our pilgrimage thinking about what was going on in my life. I laughed at the first message because I was thinking about my work. Somehow I will dream big.

I kept walking along the pilgrimage path with my group taking pictures to document my journey.

I learned of Tibetan prayer flags and loved seeing them blow in the breeze like whispers being sent to God.

In my final coaching session we discussed my most meaningful practices. They were meditation, conversations with nature, journaling and active imagination. My coach requested of me to write. I shared a poem and my conversation with water as my final offering. Writing is who I am so I assured her I would continue to share this gift. 

I’ve decided to pursue Native American spirituality. I need to get to know this part of myself. My family’s eyebrows raise higher and higher as do their concerns lol. They ask if I still believe in Jesus and I laugh and say of course! I realize though no one can dictate your spiritual path. You have to practice what is meaningful for yourself. The brave by the forest I saw during meditation awaits me.

I shall live in dreams and not fears. I shall live in love and forgiveness. I will not withhold the best parts of myself from others. I hope to give the gifts of laughter and faith. I shall continue with the practices that had meaning for me without regards as to their origin.

My flag had this simple prayer.

May I believe. May you believe. May we all believe. 

Simply prayed for anyone who has ever struggled with doubt and anxiety.

Namaste